Let’s be honest. If you are like most Fuquay-Varina folks, you’ve probably put off going to the dentist at one time or another. Some of us have even avoided seeing a dentist for years at a time. In fact, one in three Americans avoid going to the dentist regularly.

After a while, that time spent away from Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier’s chair adds up, and so does the cost of dental work.

You start to feel and even see that your teeth are not in good shape. Plaque and tartar buildup, toothaches, sensitivity to hot and cold, bleeding gums, deep, dark stains, perhaps even loose, clearly decaying teeth. Either way, by the time you get to this point you are probably wondering – is it too late to see the dentist?

Here’s what Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier hve to say when it comes to oral health:

It is never too late to seek dental care! No matter how old you are, what condition your teeth are in, or how long you’ve been avoiding a trip to your local Fuquay-Varina dentist, there is something we can do to help. Even if you are missing all of your teeth, we can still help restore your oral health, smile, and quality of life.

But it doesn’t have to get that far. Going to the dentist- even when something isn’t wrong- is the key to three important parts of your oral health:

Diagnosis and early treatment of any issues

Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier can detect tooth decay, gum disease, even signs of oral cancer before they become serious. Preventative care is truly the best medicine when it comes to your smile. That’s why most insurance carriers cover the bulk of costs for X-rays, biannual cleanings, and checkups Read more ›

If you are looking for a dentist in Fuquay-Varina, you may have picked up on the fact that there are two types of dental degrees – DDS and DMD. Perhaps you’ve noticed that there are far more of one than the other, or maybe they are split 50/50. Either way, you’re probably wondering what the difference is, and how this will affect your dental care. At Fuquay Family Dentistry, we love to spread the word about all things dental, so here are the facts, straight from Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier.

The Difference Between DDS and DMD

You have the right to know what training your health care professionals have received so that you can choose the best fit for your needs. Most Fuquay-Varina folks know there are specialties in dental medicine, such as orthodontics (braces), periodontics (gums), and cosmetics, but what about the degrees? Don’t worry, Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier has even known dentists that are still confused about this.

So what is the difference between the two degrees, anyway? The short answer is…exactly one letter. Both DMD and DDS indicate that an individual is a certified doctor of dental medicine. Although there are subtle differences in curriculum within and between the two degrees, the American Dental Association considers them identical. Anyone with a DDS or DMD is qualified to practice general dentistry.

Why Are There DMDs and DDSs?

Now that you know the shocking truth about degrees in dental medicine, you might be asking – why the distinction if they’re exactly the same? Another short answer…Harvard. Before 1867, the DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) was the only dental degree available. However, Harvard only offers degrees in Latin, so they came up with Dentariae Medicinae Doctor (Doctor of Dental Medicine, or DMD) when they opened a dental school that same year.

The Take Away

Now you know, there is no difference between a DDS and DMD dental degree, the distinction only lies in the hands of the university from which the doctor received their degree. Good to know!

Whether you are searching for a new dentist, or your curiosity just got the best of you, we hope that this article has quenched your thirst for dental degree knowledge. If you have any questions or would like to vent about the silliness of DDS versus DMD degrees, please give Fuquay Family Dentistry a call at (919) 230-8388!

Living in a land of antibacterial gels, soaps, plastics, and even fabrics, it might surprise you to hear that tons of bacteria live in your mouth every day, and they aren’t all bad! In fact, some play an important role in keeping up your overall health. Some oral bacteria, however, can cause serious problems and must be fought with good oral hygiene.

Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier from Fuquay Family Dentistry in Fuquay-Varina help you understand the role bacteria play in your health and wellness.

What are Bacteria?

Bacteria are very small organisms made of just one single cell. That’s compared to over 37 trillion cells in the human body! Bacteria have their own DNA and they need sources of energy (food) just like you do. Nearly 700 different kinds of bacteria can live in your mouth! But most people only have 34-72 kinds at any given time.

What Do Bacteria Do?

Of all the bacteria in your mouth, some are good, some are bad, and some are simply neutral. The good bacteria, called probiotics, help aid digestion, which begins in the mouth. Thank you, little bacteria!

The bad bacteria, however, can cause tooth decay and severe gum disease. The following three kinds of bacteria are on the Most Wanted list for being known to harm your oral health: Read more ›

If you’re a patient of Dr. McCormick’s, you know how much he cares for his patients and his community. The Fuquay-Varina Downtown Revitalization Association recently recognized him for outstanding improvement to the downtown property of 132 Fuquay Ave, which allowed for the Rock Harbor Grill to open its doors. Bryden McCormick worked tirelessly to renovate the space and turn it into a beautiful, functional gathering place for friends, food, and live entertainment in Fuquay-Varina.

When it comes to ridiculous beliefs on dental hygiene and treatment, we’ve heard just about everything. However, the most dangerous ones usually aren’t quite so over the top. Unfortunately, a number of dental myths are floating all over Fuquay-Varina, so Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier are here to put an end to the misinformation. Don’t feel bad if you have believed one or more of these at some point, you’re not the only one, but do make sure to give us a call at Fuquay Family Dentistry if you have any questions or concerns.

If your gums are bleeding, don’t brush them

The idea behind this false claim is that bleeding gums need to be allowed time to heal before they should be brushed, when in fact, gums bleed because they haven’t been brushed enough! This is because bacteria has built up around and beneath the gum line, irritating the gums.

The World Health Organization defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Sadly, in our fast-paced culture, many of us settle for less-than-healthy or even truly sick conditions every day. We allow ourselves to be tired, achy, stressed and in pain more often than not. Why? Because it’s hard to prioritize our long-term health in a world of so many immediate needs competing for our attention. But long-term health is actually the most important need of all. Without our health, we won’t truly be able to enjoy life or contribute to a greater good.

Starting Upstream

It’s easier to stop pollution from entering a stream in the first place than to try cleaning up the mess afterward. By starting upstream and taking your preventative health seriously, you will see immediate benefits and avoid potential problems down the road (or stream in this case). Read more ›

Did you know the same plaque that decays your teeth can cause major heart problems? What if you could fight plaque and heart failure both by improving your oral health? Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier in Fuquay-Varina are here to tell you more!

Someone dies from a heart attack every minute, according to the American Heart Association, and most heart attacks (and 85% of strokes) are caused by cholesterol build-up – aka plaque.

But there is good news. You can work with your Fuquay-Varina dentist and your doctor to understand and minimize your risk factors for developing plaque and tooth decay.

Risk Factors for Tooth Decay

In 2010, tooth decay was the most common condition in the world! Everyone struggles with tooth decay and plaque build-up for reasons unique to their own body and lifestyle. By learning what puts you most at risk for decay, you are investing in your health for the long term. Read more ›

There are many kinds of doctors – Doctors of English, Doctors of Philosophy, Doctors of Medicine, Dr. Pepper… (wink).

Of course, when we use the term doctor, we most often mean a physician or doctor of medicine. But did you know that dentists are doctors, too? Every doctor has a specialty, and a dentist’s specialty is oral health.

Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier, your Fuquay-Varina dentists explain how dentistry is a specific branch of medicine, and what it all means for the link between oral health and overall wellness.

Dentists Are Doctors

Dentists are every bit as trained and educated as physicians. They have the same general education in science as physicians before they get clinical training in dentistry. This background education helps dentists look at you, the whole package, when taking care of your teeth. Read more ›

People in the United States eat more sugar than any other country in the world!

(It’s a good thing we also have some of the best dentists in the world.

You hear it all the time: “sugar rots your teeth.” But is it true? What exactly does sugar do to your teeth and why is it so bad? Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier in Fuquay-Varina tell us why below. After reading that fact above, you might want to learn more about this substance that’s added to nearly every product at the grocery store.

Sugar 101

All food causes some build up on your teeth. After eating and drinking, little bits of food get left behind in your mouth. But out of all the food we eat, sugar does the worst damage to your teeth. Read more ›

There are lots of ways to deal with missing or damaged teeth. You’ve probably heard one of us at Fuquay Family Dentistry talking about implants, dentures, bridges, and crowns, but have you ever wondered what they are and how they work? Dr. McCormick & Dr. Meunier know that folks in Fuquay like to be informed, so think of this as your personal guide to things that might end up in your mouth. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call!

Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures, Oh My!

At some point in time, most of us will lose at least one adult tooth. The most common cause of tooth loss is gum disease, but it could also be an accident, a sports injury, or a cavity on steroids. Some people are even born without the ability to develop one or more adult teeth! Either way, the point is that most Fuquay residents will one day face a decision: how do I replace my lost or damaged tooth? There are many ways fill a gap in your bite: Read more ›